Requirements for QUAT testing UK/EU
Hi all,
We currently use QUATs as a disinfectant - but I am wondering if we are required to test the food product which comes into contact with in on the food contact surface?
I know the legislation states it must be 0.1mg/kg max QUATs in a food, but I do wonder as we use it, is it a requirement to test the actual food?
Or can we just test the chemical to prove it is within the limit?
This is a dairy product if that makes a difference - Cheese.
Thank you.
I know why you're still using quats, they're great against Listeria!
On product contact though, two things you could do. You could validate, using a reasonable number of samples that you are not picking up a high level of quats in the food above the MRL. This is not necessarily going to come back clear. Cheese as a fatty food absorbs hydrophobic chemicals really well. I remember getting a positive test on a couple of samples.
So another solution is to stop using quats. Problem is quats are really good. So there is a proposed third way. Keep using quats on your floor and non quats on surfaces. You can use biguanide based chemicals. Not quite as good but it works.